Comments for JW Political Insider http://jewish-politics-ny.com Political Talk from James Besser in Washington Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:22:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on Iran sanctions hypocrisy by Rick http://jewish-politics-ny.com/2010/03/08/iran-sanctions-hypocrisy/#comment-23320 Rick Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:16:39 +0000 http://jewish-politics-ny.com/?p=438#comment-23320 The US and other nations must make a decision, do they want a world in which Iran has a nuclear bomb? The answer is we do not, however I feel it is because the United States does not know what to do. We think Ahmadinejad is defiant today what would he be like if he is allowed to continue. Ahmadinejad is willing to roll the dice and knows the world is just going to sit back and allow him to continue. We will never get support from Russia or China and he knows this. Obama is weak and Ahmadinejad sensed this before Obama took office. The US has shown no real strength. Obama has been to weak to even publicly support Iran's suppressed people in an overthrow if the government. Sad to say but again Israel is alone in this. If Israel strikes the nuclear plants in Iran will this stop them or just delay Iran's progress? Would an Israel attack on Iran start a total mid-East war? I think it is time for Israel to roll the dice and stop Ahmadinejad before it is too late. The US and other nations must make a decision, do they want a world in which Iran has a nuclear bomb? The answer is we do not, however I feel it is because the United States does not know what to do. We think Ahmadinejad is defiant today what would he be like if he is allowed to continue. Ahmadinejad is willing to roll the dice and knows the world is just going to sit back and allow him to continue. We will never get support from Russia or China and he knows this. Obama is weak and Ahmadinejad sensed this before Obama took office. The US has shown no real strength. Obama has been to weak to even publicly support Iran’s suppressed people in an overthrow if the government.
Sad to say but again Israel is alone in this. If Israel strikes the nuclear plants in Iran will this stop them or just delay Iran’s progress? Would an Israel attack on Iran start a total mid-East war?
I think it is time for Israel to roll the dice and stop Ahmadinejad before it is too late.

]]> Comment on Obama Durban II decision disappoints Jewish right, international left by Hernan Tasies http://jewish-politics-ny.com/2009/04/19/obama-durban-ii-decision-disappoints-jewish-right-international-left/#comment-23060 Hernan Tasies Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:45:50 +0000 http://jewish-politics-ny.com/?p=198#comment-23060 Yet, another President neutered by the American right wing/Christian Fundamentalist pro-Israel zealotry movement. The myopia and narcissism is conveniently draped by the infallibility and preferred victim status. The unquestioning, Israel can do no wrong crowd is rigid and calculating. Yet, another President neutered by the American right wing/Christian Fundamentalist pro-Israel zealotry movement. The myopia and narcissism is conveniently draped by the infallibility and preferred victim status. The unquestioning, Israel can do no wrong crowd is rigid and calculating.

]]> Comment on The partisan gap on Israel - do Jews really care? by Steve Sheffey http://jewish-politics-ny.com/2010/03/01/the-partisan-gap-on-israel-do-jews-really-care/#comment-22871 Steve Sheffey Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:45:12 +0000 http://jewish-politics-ny.com/?p=435#comment-22871 A third possibility is that the poll—which was of all Americans, not just Jews—did not measure intensity of opinion. It may be true that a smaller percentage of those who identify as Democrats do not support Israel as strongly, but Israel is a much more important issue for Democrats who do support Israel. Those within the Democratic Party who don’t support Israel don’t have much influence. The Democratic Party continues to strongly support Israel as—if not more—strongly than the GOP. The Illinois Tenth Congressional District is a classic example. I consider myself a Democrat, but I voted for Republican Mark Kirk in 2004 because in my view, his Democratic opponent was not strong enough on Israel. Kirk won in a landslide. But in 2006 and 2008, Kirk barely survived a challenge from Dan Seals, a pro-Israel Democrat. Democrats who were not pro-Israel simply accepted the fact that Seals disagreed with them and voted for Seals on other issues, whereas in Kirk’s previous election, Democrats who were pro-Israel jumped ship solely because of that issue. For more on why Jews vote Democratic and a comparison of Democrats and Republicans on Israel, read this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-sheffey/why-we-are-democrats_b_430990.html A third possibility is that the poll—which was of all Americans, not just Jews—did not measure intensity of opinion. It may be true that a smaller percentage of those who identify as Democrats do not support Israel as strongly, but Israel is a much more important issue for Democrats who do support Israel. Those within the Democratic Party who don’t support Israel don’t have much influence. The Democratic Party continues to strongly support Israel as—if not more—strongly than the GOP.

The Illinois Tenth Congressional District is a classic example. I consider myself a Democrat, but I voted for Republican Mark Kirk in 2004 because in my view, his Democratic opponent was not strong enough on Israel. Kirk won in a landslide. But in 2006 and 2008, Kirk barely survived a challenge from Dan Seals, a pro-Israel Democrat. Democrats who were not pro-Israel simply accepted the fact that Seals disagreed with them and voted for Seals on other issues, whereas in Kirk’s previous election, Democrats who were pro-Israel jumped ship solely because of that issue. For more on why Jews vote Democratic and a comparison of Democrats and Republicans on Israel, read this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-sheffey/why-we-are-democrats_b_430990.html

]]> Comment on Michael Oren and J Street: Narrowing the Pro-Israel Tent by Bruce http://jewish-politics-ny.com/2009/12/14/michael-oren-and-j-street-narrowing-the-pro-israel-tent/#comment-22806 Bruce Sun, 28 Feb 2010 09:16:33 +0000 http://jewish-politics-ny.com/?p=393#comment-22806 Sorry, but in what way is J-Street pro Israel? They favor dropping sanctions against Iran, they favor negotiating with current Palestinian leadership, including Hamas? It's nice to see some Jews who are not extreme right wing war mongers and to be honest I'd hardly say they are even "pro Israel." Perhaps they are pro-Israel in the sense that they do believe Israel is a legal state. I disagree with them on that point, there should be a one state solution, majority Arab, but J-street is a good start and it gives important political cover for Obama to finally push Israel to make the concessions needed for peace. Sorry, but in what way is J-Street pro Israel?

They favor dropping sanctions against Iran, they favor negotiating with current Palestinian leadership, including Hamas? It’s nice to see some Jews who are not extreme right wing war mongers and to be honest I’d hardly say they are even “pro Israel.” Perhaps they are pro-Israel in the sense that they do believe Israel is a legal state. I disagree with them on that point, there should be a one state solution, majority Arab, but J-street is a good start and it gives important political cover for Obama to finally push Israel to make the concessions needed for peace.

]]> Comment on Harry Schwarz, anti-apartheid crusader and South African Jewish leader, dies by Alex Joseph http://jewish-politics-ny.com/2010/02/08/harry-schwarz-anti-apartheid-crusader-and-south-african-jewish-leader-dies/#comment-22763 Alex Joseph Sat, 27 Feb 2010 14:42:49 +0000 http://jewish-politics-ny.com/?p=428#comment-22763 The National Party led by FW de Klerk who ended apartheid, was a totally transformed party from 1948. You ignore the fact that Schwarz was offered much more senior cabinet positions by P.W. Botha and BJ Voster and refused every time because of their policy of apartheid. He accepted the role as ambassador after apartheid had been dismantled, Mandela had been released and de Klerk had committed to a democratic South Africa. Mandela recognized this and asked him to continue as ambassador when he was elected. So it's not that "complex" when one considers all the facts and clear that Schwarz was not simply looking for a prominent position. The National Party led by FW de Klerk who ended apartheid, was a totally transformed party from 1948. You ignore the fact that Schwarz was offered much more senior cabinet positions by P.W. Botha and BJ Voster and refused every time because of their policy of apartheid. He accepted the role as ambassador after apartheid had been dismantled, Mandela had been released and de Klerk had committed to a democratic South Africa. Mandela recognized this and asked him to continue as ambassador when he was elected.

So it’s not that “complex” when one considers all the facts and clear that Schwarz was not simply looking for a prominent position.

]]> Comment on More J Street silliness by Edward http://jewish-politics-ny.com/2010/02/19/more-j-street-silliness/#comment-22660 Edward Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:37:38 +0000 http://jewish-politics-ny.com/?p=432#comment-22660 I'm a long-time-enough supporter of Israel to recall which cousin supported Mapai and which Mapalm prior to the formation of the Labor Party. My first visit to Israel was in 1971, my latest in 2007. I agree strongly with Besser: we must include among supporters of Israel those who disagree with the current Israeli government. I want an Israel where Jews can live in peace, prosperity, and safety. They will not have that until the Palestinians also have peace, safety, and prosperity. The present US contribution to the problem (essentially, supporting the prevention of a Palestinian economy and being sure that both sides get unlimited supplies of armaments) does not help either side to move in that direction. I’m a long-time-enough supporter of Israel to recall which cousin supported Mapai and which Mapalm prior to the formation of the Labor Party. My first visit to Israel was in 1971, my latest in 2007. I agree strongly with Besser: we must include among supporters of Israel those who disagree with the current Israeli government.

I want an Israel where Jews can live in peace, prosperity, and safety. They will not have that until the Palestinians also have peace, safety, and prosperity. The present US contribution to the problem (essentially, supporting the prevention of a Palestinian economy and being sure that both sides get unlimited supplies of armaments) does not help either side to move in that direction.

]]> Comment on Ron Paul, tea parties and the GOP’s Jewish problem by Bill Pearlman http://jewish-politics-ny.com/2010/02/23/ron-paul-tea-parties-and-the-gops-jewish-problem/#comment-22646 Bill Pearlman Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:19:32 +0000 http://jewish-politics-ny.com/?p=433#comment-22646 This would have slighty more resonance if I could find one Besser Column concerning the dangers of Obama and his court Jews, Axelrod and Emanuel. Or the Gaza 54 letter. I would trust the lowest guy at cpac over Israel more than half hte Democratic congressmen This would have slighty more resonance if I could find one Besser Column
concerning the dangers of Obama and his court Jews, Axelrod and Emanuel. Or the Gaza 54 letter. I would trust the lowest guy at cpac over Israel more than half hte Democratic congressmen

]]> Comment on Ron Paul, tea parties and the GOP’s Jewish problem by Fred Mason http://jewish-politics-ny.com/2010/02/23/ron-paul-tea-parties-and-the-gops-jewish-problem/#comment-22541 Fred Mason Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:59:39 +0000 http://jewish-politics-ny.com/?p=433#comment-22541 Ron Paul has little support from the actual Conservatives core...just from a small outlier group of dedicated followers...he's well past his "Sell-by date"! The rest of the Tea Party folks are much more likely to support stuff that is "good for the Jews"...unlike many of the far left Israel-haters led by J Street and their ilk. Ron Paul has little support from the actual Conservatives core…just from a small outlier group of dedicated followers…he’s well past his “Sell-by date”!

The rest of the Tea Party folks are much more likely to support stuff that is “good for the Jews”…unlike many of the far left Israel-haters led by J Street and their ilk.

]]> Comment on More J Street silliness by carlos http://jewish-politics-ny.com/2010/02/19/more-j-street-silliness/#comment-22380 carlos Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:03:51 +0000 http://jewish-politics-ny.com/?p=432#comment-22380 My take on it as that J street and the Jewish American public that supports it are out of touch with the Israeli public. As an Israeli who supported the Oslo process for many years and for my trouble have had missiles shot at me and suicide bombers try to kill me I am sick of outside groups trying to tell me what is best for me. If it was happening anyplace else in the world it would be called paternalism. BTW have you checked out who is funding J-street? Many of them are hardly friends of Israel. My take on it as that J street and the Jewish American public that supports it are out of touch with the Israeli public. As an Israeli who supported the Oslo process for many years and for my trouble have had missiles shot at me and suicide bombers try to kill me I am sick of outside groups trying to tell me what is best for me. If it was happening anyplace else in the world it would be called paternalism. BTW have you checked out who is funding J-street? Many of them are hardly friends of Israel.

]]> Comment on More J Street silliness by Mark http://jewish-politics-ny.com/2010/02/19/more-j-street-silliness/#comment-22336 Mark Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:28:50 +0000 http://jewish-politics-ny.com/?p=432#comment-22336 It seems that one of the J-Street Congressional Delegation members currently in Israel is Warren Clark, executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace. Churches for Middle East Peace, like many other groups that generally favor divestment from companies doing business with Israel, heaps most of the blame on Israel for the lack of peace. This position comes from considering 'the Occupation" the primary reason for the Arab-Israeli conflict. If J-Street shares this analysis of the conflict, it is welcome to that analysis and it is welcome to collaborate with groups like Churches for Middle East Peace. But... they get no points for doing so. It seems that one of the J-Street Congressional Delegation members currently in Israel is Warren Clark, executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace. Churches for Middle East Peace, like many other groups that generally favor divestment from companies doing business with Israel, heaps most of the blame on Israel for the lack of peace. This position comes from considering ‘the Occupation” the primary reason for the Arab-Israeli conflict.

If J-Street shares this analysis of the conflict, it is welcome to that analysis and it is welcome to collaborate with groups like Churches for Middle East Peace. But… they get no points for doing so.

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